30th Anniversary Black Studies Senior Celebration and Banquet

Posted on May 12, 2025

On May 1st, the Department of Black Studies held the 30th Anniversary Black Studies Senior Celebration and Banquet. The well-attended dinner celebrated the 4 graduating senior Black Studies minors – Kelvin Afranie, Yaw Asante, Suniya Crawley, and Joshua Rykiel- and the first graduating senior Black Studies major- Elizabeth Hien.

Dr. Tony Affigne [center] with the Class of 2025 Black Studies graduates.

Departmental awards were also presented at the celebration. Yaw Asante received the Mary McLeod Bethune Award, both Suniya Crawley and Kelvin Afranie received the Amílcar Cabral Freedom Award, and Elizabeth Hien received the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award.

Dr. Daniel Banini, Yaw Asante, and Dr. Comfort Ateh.

Dr. Daniel Banini, Kelvin Afranie, and Dr. Comfort Ateh.

Dr. Daniel Banini, Suniya Crawley, and Dr. Comfort Ateh.

Dr. Tony Affigne, Elizabeth Hien, and Dr. Eva Wheeler

The Department of Black Studies thanks everyone who attended the function, and a special thanks to Incred-A-Bowl Food Company in East Providence, RI for catering the event!